'Iron Man 3' director is eyeing the film as his next project

“Iron Man 3″ director-scribe Shane Black has closed a deal to co-write and helm “Doc Savage” at Sony as potentially his next project.

Black, who was first attached to the project in 2010, co-wrote the film with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry. The writing team based the film on the titular hero of the 1930s and ’40s pulp novels, films and comic books.

Neal Moritz is producing alongside Ori Marmur through his Original Film banner. Michael Uslan also produces.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be building a franchise from the ground up with Shane and this team,” said Columbia Pictures prexy of production Hannah Minghella, who made the announcement with Col president Doug Belgrad.

“Shane and Neal have a fantastic understanding of the character and a great take on the material and we can’t wait to get this production up and running,” Minghella added.

The character of Doc Savage wore many professional hats including scientist, physician, adventurer, inventor, explorer and researcher. Savage uses his near-superhero abilities to fight evil.